Riddle me this...

Need some help here! While driving home from work today in my '16 CM regular fuel rig, she cut off completely. The radio and other lights etc. stayed on. The engine cut out. I put her in neutral and coasted as long as I could to find a pull off. Put her in park, turned the key and she cranked but wouldn't start.

While waiting for a ride I researched as much as I could regarding stalling and failure to start issues. As I perused I found a plethora of "like" issues but nothing exactly like this. Keep reading, I'll fill you in. Was it the key, immobilizer, the fuel pump, a fuse, vacuum leak or any other of the issues I found? Nope! The remote start would fire her up. Something to note: when I did this, the check engine light came on and so did the traction control light. Unlocked and tried the key again...cranked and no start.

I grabbed some tools and my spare keys from home. I tried the spare key--no dice. After disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes and letting her sit. I reconnected it and tried again. She fired up for about two seconds and cut off. Cranked again and she fired up. I immediately drove her home--about 5 minutes. There were no "check lights" lit. However, about every 5 seconds, my hazards would pop on and off. Parked her in the driveway and let her run for a few. While parked and running, the hazards did not do this. Turned her off and attempted to start again, same issue. Cranks but no fire.

As I read and reread posts out there, I cannot find this issue anywhere. I started thinking about recently added mods. I have a Pedal Commander (on for 3 or so months), Morimoto XB headlights (on for over a year), NSV light bar (5 weeks), Dasaita head unit and full audio upgrade from James at Techvolts (10 months). I considered these since it "seems" it could have been electrical. I removed the PC just in case. For now, I have her sitting in the driveway with the negative terminal disconnected. The great news is, i have another 6-9 inches of snow coming here to PA!

Any ideas???

 

It is definitely electrical, have you checked the hood or other areas for critters?

 

Hook up a scanner to see if there are any code stores. Maybe a module communication issue or something along those lines.

 

Almost sounds like something to do with the immobilizer cause that computer controls when the car starts and will shut down immediately if a key is not detected. It also controls the hazard circuit for when you're unlocking and locking the vehicle

 

I would put my money on this assesment. The remote start bypasses the need for a key temporarily which is why it started remotely.

 

If you have a wireless smart key, try holding the key right up to the push start to increase the signal (thats where the antenna is). the batteries are fairly easy to replace in those remotes

 

Scanner will be no good, since he has disconnected the battery, so it has cleared the surface codes, and may need a tech stream to pull any buried codes. I would side with electrical, a loose ground somewhere as different electronic components were being set off while driving. My next guess would be the battery, a dying battery or bad battery would create all kinds of electrical issues including stalling while driving... ask me how I know...

 

This is also true, bad batteries can cause a ton of issues. If youve been doing a ton of electrical work as well, you definitely could have a lose ground too

 

Yes and no both. if it's easily reproducible (which by the sounds of it it is) should be able to see something after a failed start.

 

Thanks for all of the replies. I am going to try to check codes. I let it sit overnight with battery disconnected (it's a good to go redtop). She fired right up. Turned it off after a couple of minutes and nada. Sat in it, remote started, stuck key in and shut off as it's supposed to do. Turn the key and she starts. Turn off and on on again, she starts. Pull the key out and then put back in...nada. I was able to replicate this several times in a row. The red flashing security/key light goes out when my key is there. So it "seems" it reads the key. Does this seem like the immobilizer??? Ah, by the way, no sign of critters under the hood.

 

The issue that has me most concerned is that it went dead while I was driving. If I had to remote start and use the method I did above to start her up, it would be a PITA until I was able to get this fixed, but I would live with it for a bit. Cutting off while driving, well that's a whole other can of beans!

 

No. It remote starts from the FOB.

 

Sounds like you definitely have an immobilizer issue...

 

P2138 code popped up on techstream. Monitor summary also shows misfire rates. See attached pics. Any ideas???

 

I did have Pedal Commander installed. However, it was removed after this first happened and battery had been disconnected after removal.

 

No codes on immobilizer and the immobilizer test functioned properly.

 

Edit: regarding misfires, could it be wring since DTCs were "imcomplete"?

 

Update: I think I have it narrowed down to the steering column. When my column is retracted (closest to dash) the truck starts with the key. When I extend column it will not. When running, if I extend it, she cuts off.

Since I recently installed the NSV light bar, I had to install a jumper harness under there. Going to check it out in the morning.

 

Be sure to snuggly engage that jumper harness...if it's not, it pops out...I completely forgot about that addition with the NSV.. I think you have found the culprit!